Loddington & Derringford (No 2)

In *Loddington & Derringford (No 2)*, Cronin J considered parenting orders concerning two children, M and E, born in June 2004. The dispute involved the allocation of parental responsibility and the arrangements for the children's living arrangements, time with each parent, and decision-making regarding their education and health.

The court was required to determine the extent of parental responsibility each parent would have for decision-making concerning the children's education and health, and to establish specific time arrangements for the father with the children. The court also needed to address the communication protocols between the parents regarding these decisions and the children's well-being, as well as the financial responsibility for any recommended post-program counselling.

Cronin J ordered the discharge of all existing parenting orders. The mother was granted sole responsibility for decisions concerning the children's education and health, with specific communication requirements for the father to be consulted before decisions were made, allowing him a period to respond. The father was granted the right to attend all appointments and functions related to the children's health and education. The children were ordered to live with the mother, and detailed time arrangements were set for the father's time with the children, including specific holiday periods and birthdays, with certain periods suspended on Mother's Day and the mother's birthday. The court also mandated the completion of a Parenting Order Program (POPS) and any subsequent recommended counselling or mediation, with the father to bear the costs of any such ongoing support. A communication book was to be used to facilitate information sharing between the parents. All other outstanding applications were dismissed, and the Independent Children's Lawyer was discharged.